Method of constructing concrete chimneys

ABSTRACT

A chimney is constructed by simultaneously forming an outer concrete sheath thereof and adding sections to an inner cylindrical body thereof. In a first embodiment an uppermost section of the body supports a slip form for forming the outer sheath and is stepwise hoisted by a hoist mounted on a foundation. Periodically, as the uppermost section is sufficiently hoisted, new sections are added and joined to the uppermost section, thus forming newly joined uppermost sections. In a second embodiment, a lowermost section of the body supports a crane which supports a slip form for forming the outer sheath. The crane is stepwise hoisted upwardly along the lowermost section, and periodically as the crane reaches the top of the lowermost section, additional sections are joined to the top of the lowermost section, thus forming newly joined lowermost sections.

United States Patent Ogata et a].

1 51 Sept. 25, 1973 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE CHIMNEYS Primary Examiner-Robert F. White Assistant Examiner-Allen M. Sokal [75] Inventors: Youji Ogata; Matsuo Matsuda,

Al! 2-6-7, both of Hiroshima, Japan Omey E F Wenderoth a1 [73 Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan 57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 15, 1971 A chimney is constructed by simultaneously forming an [21 l Appl- 153,275 outer concrete sheath thereof and adding sections to an inner cylindrical body thereof. In a first embodiment an 30 Foreign Appficafion priority Data uppermost section of the body supports a slip form for June w 1970 h an 45/5705) forming the outer sheath and is stepwise hoisted by a p hoist mounted on a foundation. Periodically, as the up- [52] us. Cl. 264/33 52/245 249/17 permost section is sufiiciently hoisted, new sections are 425/63 added and joined to the uppermost section, thus form- [51] Int Cl E04) 1/16 ing newly joined uppermost sections. In a second em- [58] Field 249/17, bodiment, a lowermost section of the body supports a 2, 35 crane which supports a slip form for forming the outer sheath. The crane is stepwise hoisted upwardly along [56] References Cited the lowermost section, and periodically as the crane N ATE PATENTS reaches the top of the lowermost section, additional U [TED ST S sections are joined to the top of the lowermost section, 3,509,606 5/1970 Fisher 425/63 thus forming newly joined lowermost ectiong FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,212,710 3/1966 Germany 52/245 10 Clam, 18 Drawmg Fgures t l/i msmansm 3.761.551

SHEEI 2 [1F 9 YOUJI OGATA and MA'ISUO MATSUDA, Inventors BY M4 5 Attorneys PATENTEUSEPZSISTS SHEEI l- UF 9 49 9b F|G.4

YOUJI OGATA and MATSUO MATSUDA, Inventors Attorney PATENTED 3. 78 l 551 sum 5 or 9 YOUJI OGA'IA and MATSUO MATSUDA, Inventors 'nhfiullwd nuw Attorneys PATENTED SEP2 5 I975 SHEEI 6 [1F 9 YOUJI OGATA and MA'I'SUO MA'I'SUDA, Inventors Attorneys PATENTED SEPZS I973 SHEET 7 UF 9 YOUJI OGATA and MATSUO MAISUDA, Inventors Attorneys PATENTED SEP25 I973 SHEET 8 0F 9 Attorney YOUJ I OGATA and MA'ISUO MATSUDA, Inventors PATENTED SEP2 5 I973 SHEET 8 BF 9 FEG. l7

A 70.3 M Z04 YOUJI OGAI'A and MATSUO MATSUDA,

Inventors Attorney METHOD- OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE CHIMNEYS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved method of constructing chimneyst.

More specifically, the present invention, relates to the construction of'chimneys including a conical ferroconcrete sheath and one or a plurality of steel smokestacks, elevator shafts, etc. erected on a foundation in spaced relation within the sheath.

This type of chimney is conventionally constructed by first constructing the conical concrete sheath by a known slip form process and thereafter constructing the steel smokestacks or the like within the sheath by a hoisting method using the sheath as a mount.

Specifically, the conical concrete sheath has been constructed by a method comprising setting circumferentially spaced vertically extending steel rods at the center of the wall thickness of the sheath, and connecting the units of a slip form into an annular shape circumferentially of the steel rods, such units being coupled with and supported in such a manner that they are vertically movable by jack means. A working stage, a tower, hoisting means and other equipment are mounted on the slip form, thereby supporting the weight of the equipment on the foundation through the rods. Then, from the working stage, the steps of assembling a reinforcement within the slip form, depositing concrete within the slip form, simultaneously elevating the respective units of the slip form a short distance, and adjusting the height, the interspace (thickness) and the angle of inclination of the units of the slip form and the circumferential length'and diameter of the entire slip form are performed. Thereafter, the steel smokestacks, elevator shafts, etc. are erected within the completed concrete sheath by hoisting means mounted on a scaffold provided at the top of the concrete sheath.

In the conventional slip form process as described above, it is normal to use a casing, a tube or the like for keeping the deposited concrete out of close contact with the rods, so that the load exerted on the rods set in the concrete wall will not be transferred to the semihardened concrete. Therefore, the use of largediameter rods is undesirable since the cross-sectional area of the concrete is decreased by the rods, and the heavy weight of the chimney under construction cannot be supported by the rods alone. Particularly, the rods embedded in the conical sheath are inclined along the sheath wall, so that the imposition of a large load on the rods will result in bending of the rods. It is for this reason that the equipment and stage heretofore used in the slip form process for the construction of chimneys cannot also be used as a mount for hoisting means for hoisting the internal smokestacks.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With this background in mine, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method of constructing such chimneys wherein the concrete sheath and the upright steel bodies, such as smokestakes, elevator shafts, etc., located therein are simultaneously constructed.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing an improved method of constructing chimneys, which is characterized in that the equipment such as slip forms, stages and hoisting means, whichare used in the construction of the con crete sheath are mounted on the upright bodies in such amanner that they are supportedat substantially the central portion of the chimney. The concrete sheath is constructed while elevating the slip forms by raising the upright bodies relative to the foundation or raising the whole of the equipment relative to the upright bodies, and further the upright bodies are extended by sequentially adding sections thereto.

According to the present method, the entire weight of the equipment used in the slip form process is supported on the upright bodies, such as cylindrical steel smokestacks or elevator shafts, so that such equipment is mounted much more stably than in conventional methods wherein the weight of the equipment is supported by the fine rods. Accordingly, there is no fear that the cylindrical concrete wall will be unduly loaded or bent during the construction thereof. It also becomes possible in the present method for the stages to safely bear a far greater load than in the conventional construction methods. For instance, it becomes possible to mount on the equipment a hoisting means, such as a derrick or a crane, of greater capacity that is possible in the conventional method, and to construct the smokestacks or elevator shafts by a stacking method using such hoisting means.

Further, since there is no need for embedding supporting rods in the cylindrical concrete wall, the effective cross-sectional area of the cylindrical concrete sheath is not decreased, and a strong concrete chimney can accordingly be constructed. Furthermore, according to the present method, all of the equipment used in the slip form process can be lifted en bloc either by elevating the supporting cylindrical bodies or by elevating such equipment relative to the bodies. Therefore, the operation of adjusting the heights of the individual units of the slip form, which has been heretofore necessary, can be eliminated. A further remarkable advantage of the present method is that, since the construction of the concrete sheath and the construction of the internal smokestacks or elevator shafts by a hoisting or stacking method can be carried out parallelly, the construction time can be drastically shortened as compared with the conventional method wherein the internal smokestacks, etc., are constructed after completion of the concrete sheath.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clear from the following de tailed description taken with the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section and partially in elevation, illustrating the construction of a chimney in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a and 2b are respectively side views illustrating the first and second initial steps of construction in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in cross-section and partially in elevation, illustrating the construction of a chimney in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the hoisting means illustrated in FIG];

FIG. is a partial side view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line VI-Vl in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view taken along line VII-Vll in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along VIII- Vlll in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX ofFlG. 8;

FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view of the supporting beam shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view ofa first embodiment of the extensible beam shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the extensible beam shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of the slip form unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. is a plan view of the tower portion of the crane illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16.

With reference now to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention will be illustrated.

In the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates a concrete sheath being constructed on a foundation 2 by using slip forms to be described below. The lowermost section 3 of a steel smokestack is fixed on the foundation and disposed centrally of the sheath 1. An upper section 3a of the smokestack is built up above section 3 by the hoisting method. A smokestack section 3b is inserted between the lowermost section 3 and the upper section 3a of the smokestack and is connected to the lower end of the upper section 3a. A smokestack hoisting device 4 including guide struts 5 is erected in spaced relation around a space in which the smokestack is to be built. Slant beams 6 support struts 5 and connecting beams 7 connect the tops of the guide struts 5. Jacks 8 are movable up and down in engagement with the respective guide struts 5, and a movable beam 9 is detachably engageable with the outer periphery of the smokestack and fixedly mounted on the jacks 8. Movable beam 9 is moved upwardly by the drive of jacks 8, whereby the smokestack is hoisted along the guide struts 5.

Reference numeral 10 designates a slip form unit used in the slip form process to build concrete sheath 1, and included a supporting beam 11 extending radially inwardly toward the smokestack with one end thereof secured to the outer surface of the smokestack near the top end thereof, an extensible beam 12 provided similarly below the supporting beam 11 with a space therebetween, slings 13 and 14 extending from near the top of the smokestack to support the beams 11 and 12 at the middle portions thereof, a portal yoke 16 supported on the supporting beam 11 through rollers 15 in such a manner that its movement in the longitudinal direction of the beam can be adjusted, a pair of templates 17 supported in the lower portion of the yoke 16 in such a manner that the interval therebetween and the inclination thereof can be adjusted, and frames 18 provided on both sides of the yoke 16 to provide scaffolds.

Reference numeral 19 designates a reinforcement to be embedded in the wall of the concrete sheath 1. A beam 20 is rotatably mounted on top of the smokestack, a hoist 21 is movable along the beam 20, and a hoisting cable 22 extends from a winch on the ground into the smokestack after passing around pulleys 23 and 24 so as to hoist reinforcement material, concrete or a worker carrier cage through the interior of the smokestack. Entrance-exit openings 25 and 26 are formed through the wall of the lowermost section 3 and the wall of the upper section 3a of the smokestack, and a smokestack supporting beam 27 is provided at a predetermined height inside the concrete sheath.

FIGS. 4 through 10 show the details of one embodiment of the smokestack hoisting device 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide struts 5 are erected symmetrically at four locations around the smokestack upper section 3a in such a manner as to allow insertion in the direction of the arrow 28 of the section 3b through the interspace between the struts 5 on one side, such section 3b to be connected to the upper section 3a of the smokestack. Each of the guide struts 5 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is erected on the foundation, with the open side thereof facing towards the center of the smokestack. Further, the struts 5 are fastly secured to the ground by the slant beams 6 connected to the outside surfaces of each of the guide struts. The top ends ofstruts 5 are secured relative to each other by the connecting beams 7.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each guide strut 5 has formed in the opposed side walls 29 thereof a series of openings 30 which are of equal size and are equally spaced by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the walls.

The jack 8 of the hoisting device comprises a downward gear jack 31 having a stroke slightly longer than the distance between the openings 30, an upper pin box 32 secured to the upper end of the casing of said gear jack 31 and a lower pin box 33 connected, by means of a pin, to the lower end of a rod 37 of said gear jack 31, all of which are arranged vertically. Ajack 8 is received in each of the guide struts 5 in such a manner that it is movable vertically with a number of rollers 34 projecting from the outer surfaces of the upper and lower pin boxes 32 and 33 and the outer surface of the casing of the gear jack 31, the rollers 34 being in engagement with the inner surfaces of the guide struts.

The gear jack 31 has in its casing an inner cylinder 36 which is rotated by a hydraulic motor 35. When the inner cylinder 36 is rotated, a rod 37 in threadable engagement therewith is moved a distance slightly greater than the distance between openings 30, that is between the projected position shown in solid lines and the retracted position shown in broken lines in FIG. 9

Each of the upper and lower pin boxes 32 and 33, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, comprise a rigid casing 38, a pair of, horizontally arranged pin blocks 39 disposed in said casing and adapted to be loosely projected into or retracted from the openings 30 in-the guide strut 5, a hydraulic cylinder 40 mounted horizontally on the outer surface of the casing 38, a reciprocating rod 41 connected to the outer end of a piston rod of cylinder 40, and levers 42 connected between the reciprocating rod 41 and the inner ends of the pin blocks 39. The pin box is operative in such a manner that by projecting the roll 41 of the cylinder 40, the pin blocks 39 are moved away from each other from the casing 38 into the openings 30 of the guide strut, whereas by retracting the rod 41, the pin blocks 39 are moved towards each other into the casing 38 so as to be retracted from openings 30.

Thus, it will be understood that the jack 8 can be elevated stepwise in the guide strut 5, by repeating a series of steps i.e. the steps of engaging the upper pin blocks 39 with the guide struts 5, retracting the lower pin blocks 39, contracting the gear jack 31, engaging the lower pin blocks 39 with the upper openings 30 of the strut, retracting the upper pin blocks and stretching the gear jack 31. When it is desired to lower the jack 8 stepwise, this can be achieved by operating the abovedescribed steps in a reverse sequence.

The movable beam 9 of the hoisting device is com posed of four separate ring sections 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d each having a protuberance 43 of a size to be loosely received into the guide strut 5 from the open side thereof. Ring sections 9a 9d can be assembled at the construction site into the complete annular beam 9 by coupling them together at their ends by means of joint plates 44 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and can also be disassembled at the construction site. Reference numeral 45 designates an access hole used during the assembly or disassembly of the movable beam 9 at the construction site.

In assembling the movable beam 9, the protuberance 43 of the respective ring section 9a 9d is inserted into the corresponding guide strut 5 fromthe center of the smokestack, placed on top of the upper pin box 32 of the jack 8 with a flexible pad 46 of such a material as hard rubber interposed therebetween and secured to said upper pin box 32 by means of a metal fitting 47 or other suitable means, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the height of jacks 8 being ipreviously adjusted to be at the same level.

On each of the ring sections of the movable beam 9 are provided two sets of connecting means 48 as shown in FIG. 4, by which beam 9 is connected to the smokestack. These connecting means are of identical construction and each include a slide member 49 having an arcuate shape complementary to the outer surface of the smokestack, guide members 50 fixed on the beam 9 so as to guide the slide member 49 radially of the smokestack section 3a, and a hydraulic cylinder 51 I connected between the beam 9 and the slide member 49 in the radial direction of the smokestack. The slide member 49, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, has formed therein a transverse groove 53 for loosely receiving a supporting ring 52 which is welded to the'outer surface of the smokestack section 3a. Further, the beam 9 has on the underside thereof circumferentially spaced rollers 54 for providing a space between the inner surface of beam 9 and the'outer surface of the smokestack section 3a, rollers 54 being made of hard rubber or the like material.

Each of the connecting means 481s operative such that the piston rods of the cylinders 51 are simultaneously moved into theirprojected positions when the groove 53 of the slide member 49 is brought into registration with the supporting ring 52 on the outersurface of the smokestack, whereby the beam 9 and the smokestack section 3a are connected together. The connection of the beam 9 and the smokestack section 3a can be released by simultaneously retracting the piston rods of the cylinders 51.

For raising the smokestack and the equipment for the slip form process carried on the smokestack, the hoisting device 4 is operated in the following manner. The connecting means 48 on the movable beam 9 are simultaneously engaged with the supporting ring 52 on the smokestack at the lower ends of the gudie struts 5.

Then the jacks 8 are shifted to a position one step.

higher on the guide struts 5 by extending the gear jack 31 in a manner as described above. The length of each step and the time between steps (for instance 3-5 cm and approximately 20 minutes, respectively) are determined by the requirements for the construction of the concrete sheath 1 carried out by using the equipment for the slip form process mounted on the top of the smokestack section 3a.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown one embodiment of a mechanism for adjusting the position of the yoke 16 on the supporting beam 11. In this Figure, reference numeral 55 designates a screw shaft extending above and along the supporting beam 11 towards the center of the chimney, with one end thereof connected to an inside part of the yoke 16. A bracket 56 is fixed on the supporting beam 11 at about the middle of the length thereof and has rotatably mounted thereon a nut 57 which is in threadable engagement with screw shaft 55. The position of the yoke 16 on the supporting-beam 11 is adjusted by rotating the nut 57 by a known tool (such as a spanner) not shown.

FIG. 12 shows a mechanism for extending and contracting one embodiment of the extensible beam 12. The extensible beam 12 is composed of a hollow outer beam element 58 having a square cross-section and secured at one end to the outer surface of the smokestack at a location near the top end thereof, and an inner beam element 59 slidably telescoped into the other end of the outer beam element 58. The inner beam element 59 is slidable from and into the outer beam element 58 by means of a plurality of guide rollers 60 mounted in the walls of outer beam element 58. The length of the extensible beam 12 is adjusted by adjustment of a turnbuckle 63 connected between a fitting 61 provided on the side wall of the outer beam element 58 and one of a pluraity of holes 62 formed in the side walls of the inner beam element 59 by means of bolts 64 and nuts 65. Alternatively, the adjustment of the length of extensible beam 12 may be effected by the device shown in FIG. 11 for adjusting the position of yoke 16. FIG. 13

shows another embodiment of the extensible beam 12 including a stationary beam element 66 and a movable beam element 67 combined in interlocking relation.

The stationary beam element 66 and the movable beam element 67 are secured to each other at the overlapping portions thereof by means of guide sockets 68 and 69 and are slidable relative to each other with the aid of guide rollers 70 mounted in the walls of the guide sockets. Theadjustment of the length of this embodiment of extensible beam 12 is effected by connection a turn-buckle 63 of the type shown in FIG. 12 between a fitting 71 provided on the guide socket 68 fixed to the stationary beam element 66 and one of a plurality of holes 72 provided in the movably beam element 67. The adjusting mechanism shown in FIG. 11 may also be employed in the embodiment of FIG. 13.

A common method employed for joining the adjacent templates 17 of the slip form supported on a set of yokes 16 into a cylindrical shape is illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, only the templates carried by the outside pillars of the yokes 16 are shown, and for purposes of clarity the inside templates cooperating with said templates are omitted. As shown, each template 17 carried by one yoke 16 has three ribs 73 vertically fixed on the outer surface thereof, and the central rib is supported at its top end by a cable 74 extending from the horizontal member of the yoke 16. On the central rib 73 are provided vertically spaced sockets 75, and one end of a screw shaft 76 is threaded into each of the sockets 75. The other end of screw shaft 76 rotatably extends through an internally threaded projection 77 formed on the side surface of the pillar of the yoke 16, whereby the template 17 is held against lateral movement. The outer end of each screw shaft 76 which projects outwardly from projection 77 is shaped to be gripped, for instance by a wrench, for rotation. Thus, the angle of inclination of the template and the interval between the cooperating outer and inner templates may be adjusted by turning the upper and lower screw shafts 76 by rotating handle (not shown) attached to the shaped end extremity of each of the screw shafts.

The circumferentially arranged adjacent yokes 16 are adjustably connected with each other by a connecting rod 79 extending between fittings 78 provided on the outer surfaces of the pillars of the yokes 16.

The templates 17 carried by the adjacent yokes 16 are linked by connecting rods 81 extending between sockets 80 provided on the central ribs of the respective templates in verticlly spaced relation. A splice template 17a having two vertical ribs 82 at the central portion thereof is disposed in the space between templates 17. Splice template 17a is supported on the connecting rods 81 by hooks 83 provided on the vertical ribs 82, and the opposite side edges thereof are engaged with the edges of the templates 17 in overlapping relation, thereby forming a circumferentially continuous form. These templates are adjusted, as the height of the concrete sheath 1 being constructed thereby increases, in such a manner that the interval between the yokes 16 is gradually decreased, the width of the overlapping portions of the templates is progressively increased, and the circumferential length and diameter of the cylindrical form formed by the templates are gradually decreased.

In constructing the chimney, the lowermost section 3 of the smokestack is mounted on the foundation at the center of the chimney with the hoisting devices 4 positioned therearound. Then, the uppermost section 30 of the smokestack of a predetermined height is mounted on top of lowermost section 3 by means of a crane set on the ground. The lower portion of the section 30 is secured to the guide struts 5 through the movable beam 9 and the jacks 8, and the rotatable beam 20, the hoist 21, the hoisting cable 22, etc. are mounted on top of section 3a. Thereafter, a plurality of the abovedescribed slip form units 10 are assembled on the foundation around the smokestack section 3 in a manner to form an annular shape, each unit 10 being supported by its supporting beam 11, which is secured to part 3a, and sling 13 (FIG. 2a).

Then, reinforcements 19 are positioned within the annular space between the templates l7 and concrete is dumped in several layers in this space. Then the section 3a and the entire slip form are raised by the simultaneous operation of jack 8. The slip form diameter is then adjusted, and the positioning of further reinforcements and the dumping of concrete are repeated. When a predetermined space is formed between the uppermost section 3a and the lowermost section 3 of the smokestack, the section 312 of the smokestack is inserted into said space through an opening, not shown, formed at the lower end of the sheath 1 and welded at its upper edge to the lower edge of section 3a. The sections 30 and 317 thus connected rest on the section 3 and, after connecting the movable beam 9 to the lower portion of section 3b by lowering the jacks 8, the steps of lifting of the assembled sections 3a and 3b and the slip form, adjusting the form, building of reinforcement and dumping of concrete are again repeated. Upon completion of the insertion and connection of one or two smokestack parts in the manner described, the connecting beams 7 are mounted on the hoisting devices 4, and the beams 12 and slings 14 are attached to each slip form unit 10. Also, a working stage is formed by laying scaffolding boards on the beams 12. (FIG. 2b).

Thereafter, the necessary equipment and materials are carried onto the stage through the opening 25 in the lowermost section 3, the interior of the already assembled smokestack sections and the top opening 26 of the uppermost section 3a by using the hoisting cable 22. Thereafter, lifting of the slip form, adjustment of the diameter and wall thickness of the concrete sheath, building of reinforcement and dumping of concrete are repeated from the working stage. Additional smokestack sections are inserted and connected from time to time. Also, the smokestack supporting beam 27 is formed at a predetermined height within the concrete sheath to carry out the construction of the internal smokestack concurrently with the construction of the concrete sheath.

A secondembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, in which the concrete sheath is constructed by using a slip form fixed to a climbing crane, while simultaneously constructing the internal smokestack by a stacking method using the climbing crane. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 designates the internal smokestack being built on the foundation 102 by stacking the component sections thereof upwardly. A plurality of vertically extending guide rails 103 are fitted to the outer surface of the smokestack in a circumferentially spaced relation. A rope trolley-type climbing tower crane 104 is loosely engaged around the smokestack and supported thereon by a plurality ofjacks 105 provided at the lower portion of crane 104 and in engagement with respective guide rails 103. Climbing tower crane 104 is movable up and down along the guide rails 103 by means of the drives ofjacks 105. A slip form unit 106 of the same construction as that shown in FIG. 1 is fixed to the lower portion of the tower of the climbing tower crane 104. A concrete sheath 107 is constructed by the use of the slip form unit 106. A smokestack section 101a is hoisted by the hoisting cable 108 of the climbing crane along the outer surface of the chimney to be stacked on the already built smokestack 101. Guide rail segments 103a are previously fitted on section 101a.

The details of this embodiment are exemplified in FIGS. 15 through 17. As shown, the guide rails 103, each consisting of two parallel L-shaped plates, are vertically fitted to the smokestack 101 at four circumferential locations, and each plate has oepnings 109 formed longitudinally therein at a predetermined distance apart. Further, the guide rails of each smokestack section are composed of a plurality of segments having a predetermined length and are adapted to be connected one on top of another as the construction of the concrete sheath and the smokestack proceeds.

The jack 105 comprises a vertical gear jack 110 of a stroke slightly greater than the distance between the openings 109, an upper pin box 111 fixed to the top end of a casing of gear jack 110, and a lower pin box 112 connected to the lower end of a rod of gear jack 110.

The jack 105 has the same construction as the jack 8 of the hoisting device 4 shown in FIGS. 8 through 10. A jack 105 is disposed in each guide rail 103, with pin blocks 113 of one or both of the upper and lower pin boxes 111 and 112 being engaged in the openings 109 in the guide rail 103. The climbing crane 104 is secured to the top of the upper pin box 111 with a flexible pad 1 14 interposed therebetween. In this case, the weight which is exerted on the jack 105 is smaller than in case of FIG. 1, and hence the capacity ofjack 105 is smaller than that of the jack 8 shown in FIG. 1.

Hoisting of the climbing crane 104 by the jacks 105 is effected in the following manner. First, with lower pin blocks 113 held in engagement with rails 103, gear jacks 110 are extended by a predetermined amount (for instance, 3 cm.) at predetermined intervals (for instance, approximately every minutes), so as to permit the concrete sheath to be constructed by the slip form equipment carried on the lower portion of the crane 104. When the gear jack 110 has been extended to a length corresponding to the distance between openings 109, the upper pin blocks 113 are engaged with the rail 103 and the lower pin blocks 113 are retracted. Then, the gear jack 110 is contracted, the lower pin blocks 113 are projected into openings 109 at a position one step higher than previously, upper pin blocks 113 are retracted, and the gear jack 110 is again extended. The above-described operations are repeated,

According to this embodiment, the chimney is constructed in the following manner. First, the lower section 101 of the smokestack is assembled on a foundation 102 to a predetermined height by using a crane located on the ground, and the climbing crane 104 is mounted on top of the thus assembled smokestack by way of the guide rails 103 and the jacks 105. A required number of the slip form units 106 arranged on the foundation 102 are circumferentially connected together into an annular shape in such a manner that the resultant slip form will have a diameter, an inclination and a thickness (the interval between the inner and outer templates) necessary for the construction of the concrete sheath, and the respective units 106 are connected to the lower portion of the climbing crane by beams 111 and 112. A working stage is formed by laying scaffolding boards on the beams of the respective units, from which the initial assembling of a reinforcement and dumping of concrete are conducted.

Upward movement of the slip form is effected by elevating the crane 104 stepwise relative to the smokestack by simultaneously operating all of the jacks 105 along the guide rails 103.

After initially assembling the reinforcement within the form 106 and dumping the concrete, lifting the crane a short distance, adjusting the diameter, etc. of

the slip form, these steps are repeated in the same order. When the jacks of the crane reach the top end of the smokestack 101, the new smokestack section 101a previously assembled on the ground is hoisted by using the hoisting means of the climbing crane as shown in FIG. 3 and stacked on top of the already erected smokestack 101. The lower end of section 101a and the lower ends of the rail segments 103a thereof are connected to the upper end of the section 101 and the upper ends of the guide rails 103 thereof, respectively. The construction of the concrete sheath 107 and the construction of the smokestack are concurrently carried out by repeating the above-described operation. In this embodiment, the reinforcement material, concrete and workers can be lifted by using the hoisting means of the crane 104 or by using separate hoisting means utilizing the interior of the smokestack as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Although the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the method of the present invention as applied to the construction of a chimney having only a single smokestack inside the concrete sheath, it should be understood that the method of the present invention can similarly be applied to the construction of a chimney having a plurality of upright steel cylindrical bodies, such as smokestacks, elevator shafts, etc., within a concrete sheath.

For instance, where a plurality of cylindrical bodies are to be located at the center of the chimney, the construction of one of these cylindrical bodies and the construction of the concrete sheath can be carried out concurrently by the method described herein. The other internal cylindrical bodies can be constructed concurrently with the construction of the concrete sheath and the one cylindrical body, for example, by using hoisting means provided on the foundation within the concrete sheath or by using a separate rotatable hoisting beam or the like mounted on the one cylindrical body be neath the level of the slip form units. Of course, these other internal cylindrical bodies can be constructed after the outer sheath has been completed, and the use of the subject method is'advantageous also in this case, since the internal cylindrical bodies can be safely constructed by a hoisting means without exerting a load on the concrete sheath, by utilizing the central cylindrical body as a mount.

In constructing a concrete chimney wherein none of a plurality of internal cylindrical bodies are positioned at the center of said chimney, e.g. a concrete chimney having two cylindrical bodies therein, the construction of such internal cylindrical bodies by the hoisting or stacking method and the construction of a concrete sheath can be carried out parallelly. For example, a hoisting device may be adapted to hoist two cylindrical bodies en bloc, and slip form equipment may be supported on the two cylindrical bodies through a tower portion extending between the top ends of the cylindrical bodies and upwardly through the center of the chimney. Alternatively, a climbing crane having a climbing crane portion at the lower part thereof extending over two cylindrical bodies and supported thereby may be adapted to construct the two cylindrical bodies by stacking within the outer sheath. A slip form supporting tower portion at the upper part of the crane and extending upwardly through the center of the chimney may be used to form the concrete sheath.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having an outer concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of mounting a first section of said body relative to a foundation, mounting a slip form of a predetermined sahpe for forming said sheath on said first section, adding concrete between the templates of said slip form, raising said slip form vertically by hoisting said section with said slip form mounted thereon, and forming said sheath by adding further concrete between said templates of said slip form while concurrently adding additional sections of said body to said first section by periodically joining said additional sections to the bottom of said section.

2. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having an outer concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of fixedly erecting on a foundation a lowermost section of said body; mounting a hoisting device on said foundation surrounding said lowermost section; mounting an uppermost section of said body on the top of said lowermost section; attaching said hoisting device to the peripheral wall of said uppermost section; mounting equipment such as a slip form, a stage and a crane for forming said sheath on the top of said uppermost section in such a manner that they are located centrally of said chimney to be constructed; stepwise hoisting said uppermost section together with said equipment mounted thereon by means of said hoisitng device while constructing said sheath by means of said equipment by adding concrete between the templates of said slip form; when said uppermost section has reached a predetermined height, joining an additional section of said body to the lower end of said uppermost section; temporarily resting the thusjoined sections on said lowermost section; shifting said hoisting device into engagement with said additional section; stepwise hoisting said joined sections and said equipment by means of said hoisting device; and repeating said steps of adding, joining, resting, shifting and hoisting whereby the construction of said sheath and the construction of said body are carried out concurrently.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed separately by a hoisting method by using jack means provided on each of said remainder of said bodies.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed by a stacking method by using separate hoisting means mounted on said one body.

5. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and when the construction of said one body and said sheath have been completed, the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed within said sheath by a stacking method by using said completed one body as a mount.

6. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein openings are formed in the walls of said lowermost and uppermost sections, said method further comprising using these openings and the internal hollow of said body as a passageway for materials and workers necessary for the construction of said chimney.

7. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having a concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a Smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of fixedly mounting the lowermost section of said body on a foundation; mounting a climbing crane on the outer surface of said lowermost section, said climbing crane being movable upwardly along guides fitted axially on said outer surface of said lowermost section; mounting on said climbing crane equipment such as a slip form and a stage necessary for the construction of said chimney; stepwise elevating said climbing crane along said lowermost section while constructing said sheath by means of said equipment by adding concrete between the templates of said slip form; when said climbing crane carrying said equipment thereon has reached the top end of said lowermost section; joining an additional section of said body having guides thereon to the top end of said lowermost section by means of said climbing crane such that said guides of said additional section abut said guides of said lowermost section; stepwise elevating said climbing crane along said additional section; and repeating said steps of adding, joining and elevating, whereby the construction of said sheath and the construction of said body are carried out concurrently.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed sep arately by a hoisting method by using jack means provided on each of said remainder of said bodies.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed by a stacking method by using separate hoisting means mounted on said one body.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and when the construction of said one body and said sheath have been completed, the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed within said sheath by a stacking method by using said completed one body as a mount. 

1. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having an outer concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of mounting a first section of said body relative to a foUndation, mounting a slip form of a predetermined sahpe for forming said sheath on said first section, adding concrete between the templates of said slip form, raising said slip form vertically by hoisting said section with said slip form mounted thereon, and forming said sheath by adding further concrete between said templates of said slip form while concurrently adding additional sections of said body to said first section by periodically joining said additional sections to the bottom of said section.
 2. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having an outer concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of fixedly erecting on a foundation a lowermost section of said body; mounting a hoisting device on said foundation surrounding said lowermost section; mounting an uppermost section of said body on the top of said lowermost section; attaching said hoisting device to the peripheral wall of said uppermost section; mounting equipment such as a slip form, a stage and a crane for forming said sheath on the top of said uppermost section in such a manner that they are located centrally of said chimney to be constructed; stepwise hoisting said uppermost section together with said equipment mounted thereon by means of said hoisitng device while constructing said sheath by means of said equipment by adding concrete between the templates of said slip form; when said uppermost section has reached a predetermined height, joining an additional section of said body to the lower end of said uppermost section; temporarily resting the thus joined sections on said lowermost section; shifting said hoisting device into engagement with said additional section; stepwise hoisting said joined sections and said equipment by means of said hoisting device; and repeating said steps of adding, joining, resting, shifting and hoisting whereby the construction of said sheath and the construction of said body are carried out concurrently.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed separately by a hoisting method by using jack means provided on each of said remainder of said bodies.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed by a stacking method by using separate hoisting means mounted on said one body.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment is mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and when the construction of said one body and said sheath have been completed, the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed within said sheath by a stacking method by using said completed one body as a mount.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein openings are formed in the walls of said lowermost and uppermost sections, said method further comprising using these openings and the internal hollow of said body as a passageway for materials and workers necessary for the construction of said chimney.
 7. A method of constructing a chimney of the type having a concrete sheath and at least one inner cylindrical body such as a smokestack or an elevator shaft within said sheath, said method comprising the steps of fixedly mounting the lowermost section of said body on A foundation; mounting a climbing crane on the outer surface of said lowermost section, said climbing crane being movable upwardly along guides fitted axially on said outer surface of said lowermost section; mounting on said climbing crane equipment such as a slip form and a stage necessary for the construction of said chimney; stepwise elevating said climbing crane along said lowermost section while constructing said sheath by means of said equipment by adding concrete between the templates of said slip form; when said climbing crane carrying said equipment thereon has reached the top end of said lowermost section; joining an additional section of said body having guides thereon to the top end of said lowermost section by means of said climbing crane such that said guides of said additional section abut said guides of said lowermost section; stepwise elevating said climbing crane along said additional section; and repeating said steps of adding, joining and elevating, whereby the construction of said sheath and the construction of said body are carried out concurrently.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed separately by a hoisting method by using jack means provided on each of said remainder of said bodies.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed by a stacking method by using separate hoisting means mounted on said one body.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one inner cylindrical body comprises a plurality of bodies and said equipment and said climbing crane are mounted on one of said plurality of bodies, whereby the construction of said one body and the construction of said sheath are carried out simultaneously, and when the construction of said one body and said sheath have been completed, the remainder of said plurality of bodies are constructed within said sheath by a stacking method by using said completed one body as a mount. 